A field of 11 3-year-old colts goes forward in Saturday's G3 UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan, with Godolphin responsible for four of those including Saeed bin Suroor's last-out Group 1 winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}). The chestnut flashed his talent early last campaign, finishing second in the G2 Qatar Vintage S. and G2 At the Races Champagne S. before a creditable fourth in the G1 Dubai Dewhurst S., and he put it all together in the Oct. 30 G1 Criterium International to win by five lengths.
“He worked very well on Monday and has pleased us since arriving in Dubai,” said bin Suroor. “He obviously has to prove himself on dirt and will improve for the run but should go well.”
Fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby saddles the trial winner Fly At Dawn (Discreet Cat), and he said, “We were very pleased with his win in the trial,” said Appleby. “The extra 200 metres should be in his favour and, hopefully, he is going to go very close.”
Also reopposing from the trial is the second-placed Cosmo Charlie (Stay Thirsty), a winner on debut at Meydan in December. “We were delighted with that run in the trial,” said trainer Doug Watson. “The extra 200 metres should suit him and the extra experience he gained then can only be in his favour.”
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